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105. An Exceptional Marriage Custom

From: Manners and Customs of the Bible

By: James M. Freeman

Narrator: Chris Genthree

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Exodus 2:21²¹And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. (Exodus 2:21). He gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.

In general the proposal of marriage came from the family of the bridegroom; but occasionally this custom was reversed, as in the case referred to in the text. Caleb gave his daughter Achsah to Othniel (Josh. 15:16-17¹⁶And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. ¹⁷And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. (Joshua 15:16‑17)). Saul gave his daughter Michal to David (1 Sam. 18:27²⁷Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife. (1 Samuel 18:27)).

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